Good Afternoon,
We understand it is extremely difficult to be away from your loved ones, but at this time we continue to enforce a strict no visitors rule (with the exception of active palliation visits). Some good news is that we have now opened up our community for other health professionals to provide service (such as Foot Care, private OT/PT, etc.) These professionals are asked to come to only one site per day, to inform us of what day they will be on site, and are following strict Infection Control Protocols.
Should the status of our community change in any respect, please know that we will immediately inform all resident’s and tenant’s families/most responsible person.
Selkirk Seniors Village is fortunate to have a COVID-19 Coach provided by the Island Health Authority. This coach is on site Monday- Friday providing us with ongoing education and support, as well as being a great resource for all things COVID-19 related.
New updates regarding transporting residents and tenants to medical appointments has come from the health authority. Please see the new Transport Infection Control Requirements below for situations where a transport service is used, or if you decide to transport your loved one yourself:
| RESIDENT/TENANT | TRANSPORT SERVICE | DRIVER | ||
| 1) Be screened by the nurse or greeter prior to the trip and prior to returning to the floor 2) Comply with strict hand hygiene: Soap and water for at least 20 seconds (required when hands visibly soiled) and/or Hand sanitizer 3) Wear a surgical mask during transport 4) Comply with using transport as mechanism to get to/from medical appointments; must not ask transport to stop in between trips for social or other purposes (ie: cannot stop for coffee or to shop) | 1) Pre-screen calls to all passengers prior to transport 2) Must transport only 1 resident at a time, unless from same facility can transport up to 2 residents at a time maximizing distance seated 3) Seat the client and escort (if there is one) at the furthest distance from the driver in order to observe a 2 meter distance 4) If weather permits, keep the windows open to improve ventilation 5) Ensure vehicle is cleaned, with high touch surfaces (i.e: Drivers station, door handles, overhead grab bar, windows control buttons, lock buttons, seat locks, seat buckles/belts, seat backs, center console, arm rests, credit/debit machines) are being sanitized with appropriate disinfectant, prior to and after resident transfer. | 1) Self-Assess with BC COVID-19 Symptom Self-Assessment Tool prior to arriving at facility 2) Be screened by the greeter with the Island Health Screening Tool 3) Limit presence in patient care areas, ideally restricting driver to stay in lobby or outside unless resident requires stretcher (attempt to limit presence inside to <15 minutes; complying with physical distancing of 6 feet) 4) Comply with strict hand hygiene: Soap and water for at least 20 seconds (required when hands visibly soiled) and/or Hand sanitizer 5) Wear surgical mask when in contact with resident (including during the car ride) | ||
Protocols
We are following the direction of our public health officials to the letter, and have full infection prevention and control precautions in place. Staff continue to monitor residents closely and are ensuring the following protocols are being adhered to:
Recreation Program
Recreation programs continue with small groups (5 or less) with a focus on activities that don’t require any shared supplies, and ensuring everyone keeps their social distance. Programs will be repeated in the day, so that more people have an opportunity to participate. There has been lots of fitness, trivia, manicures, baking, music, and even happy hours occurring. Our recreation team will still be facilitating some 1:1 visits, as well as FaceTime and Skype calls. The FaceTime and Skype calls will be at set times that are away from peak resident activity hours. Please touch base with either Brian Del Raye, Recreation and Therapies Manager, or the recreation team if you have any questions in regards to this: Brian- 250-940-1028 x1102, Rec Office- 250-940-1028 x1120, or via email at bdelraye@retirementconcepts.com or Selkirk-recreation@retirementconcepts.com.
Dining Room- Assisted Living
The Assisted Living dining room remains closed at this time, and tray service is being delivered to each suites. The team has become very efficient in the delivery of the trays, and this system is working well.
Dining Room- Complex Care
Social distancing is occurring and we are limiting tables to 2 residents per table. Staff are assisting residents with proper hand hygiene before and after meal times.
Assisted Living:
All deliveries will be received at the front door. All will be sanitized and delivered to the resident’s suites. A notice has been placed on each floor as well as in the elevator reminding tenants that we strongly encourage them to continue to have their groceries and supplies delivered, as seniors are high risk for COVID-19.
Dropping items off: We would ask that families please follow these guidelines to ensure your parent or loved one receives their deliveries.
Deliveries for Complex Care:
In order to keep our residents safe, it has been communicated to families that Complex Care is only accepting deliveries of the very essential items (briefs, cigarettes, hygiene items not supplied by facility, etc.). This is due to the risk that Covid-19 could be transported into the facility on a delivered item. Currently, all delivered essential items are stored for 48 hours before they are delivered to the unit to ensure these items are not a conduit for Covid-19 spread.
We would like to remind families that on your loved ones birthday, our recreation team provides them with cake, and we have regular birthday celebrations here in our community. Families can contact recreation to set up FaceTime and/or Skype calls so you and your loved one can celebrate together.
Many families have requested to drop off non-essential items such as gifts or food. We have heard you, and have come up with a process that will keep the residents safe, yet allow them to feel the love and connection receiving a gift from a loved one brings. This process will allow small deliveries of non-essential items to our residents and ensure their continued safety while allowing the volume of items delivered to be kept at a manageable level for our staff. Please see the process below:
Process
(Exceptions only on special occasions – Birthdays, Anniversaries, Etc.)
If you have any questions regarding this new non-essential item drop off structure, please reach out before you come to the facility with a delivery to Marta our Social Worker (ext.1158) or RN (1177) after hours.
Updates on Admissions and Transfers:
Admissions will be resumed following strict Ministry of Health guidelines and safety precautions (new admissions and residents returning from hospital will have isolation precautions with staff wearing PPE)
Any resident that shows symptoms will be tested for COVID-19 without delay and put on isolation precautions. If the resident is positive, they will be assessed for transfer to a dedicated COVID-19 unit at the hospital for specialized treatment and to reduce risk of outbreak in the LTC home.
Reminders for your loved one to Stay Safe:
Again, the following four points are so critical to discuss with your loved ones. Please help us by reminding your loved one of the following:
Thank You
Thank you to everyone who continues to be considerate and cooperative during these difficult times. Stay safe, stay kind, and have a good week.